Richardson loads Port of Churchill’s first vessel of the season

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA — Richardson International Limited announced that the loading of 35,200 tonnes of No. 2 Canada Western Red Spring Wheat onto the M.V. Ikan Suji began on Aug. 5. The wheat originated at Richardson Pioneer elevators in Manitoba and northeastern Saskatchewan is destined for Mexico. This is the first vessel to be loaded at the Port of Churchill this season.

"Churchill is an important port for Richardson, and we are pleased to have another large shipping program in place for 2014," says Curt Vossen, president and chief executive officer of Richardson International. "Last year, we extended the shipping season by several weeks loading the last vessel on November 12 and we expect to have another strong season this year."

While Richardson has shipped grains and oilseeds such as peas and canola through Churchill for decades, the company’s use of the Port has increased significantly since the open market for wheat and barley was created in August 2012.

"The Port of Churchill has become a major shipping point for us as it provides another viable opportunity to move western Canadian grains and oilseeds to customers around the world," says Vossen. "With record crops and the capacity challenges we are facing each year, we are making use of all available rail and port terminal capacity to move farmers’ grain as quickly as possible."

Richardson ships mainly wheat, barley, canola and peas through Churchill to customers in countries around the world, specifically in Latin and South America and Europe. The company has a long history with the Port of Churchill. Richardson shipped the first cargo of wheat from the Port on Oct. 11, 1929, when the Engava set course for Liverpool, England with a shipment of Manitoba wheat.